Transcript: QB Daniel Jones

Quarterback Daniel Jones

Q. The news with (running back) Saquon (Barkley) yesterday, how much of a relief is it for you and this organization that that's not hovering over this training camp?

A: We're obviously thrilled to have him back. It was a tough situation for him, and I'm glad that we got it worked out. He's an incredible leader on this team. He's an incredible player and means so much to this group. So yeah, it's huge to get him back.

Q. What do you expect from him this season?

A: I mean, I expect him to be himself. I think he works his tail off. He prepares hard and that shows up on the field. You saw it last year in how well he played and how big he was for us throughout the whole season. We can use him in a lot of different ways. He's a dynamic player, and that's certainly what we expect.

Q. Did you miss having him around? He wasn't around all spring.

A: Yeah, certainly. Like I said, he's a leader on this team, he's an influential guy and someone who sets the standard and sets the example of what it's supposed to look like. It's awesome to have him back.

Q. You saw that line pass last week and then you get to this week and he's here for the first day of training camp. How surprising was that to you that it kind of worked out?

A: I don't know if it was surprising or not surprising, but I'm just happy it worked out. I'm certainly glad to get that news for the first day, and like I said, it's great to have him.

Q. (Offensive tackle) Andrew (Thomas) was just here and said he feels like he has to live up to his contract, that he wants to prove that he's worthy of being the highest-paid left tackle. Do you feel like you have to live up to your contract now, or nothing changes?

A: I think there are always expectations, and there's always responsibility playing any position, and certainly playing quarterback, to put the team in a position to win games. That's always been the way I've approached it. I've always put pressure on myself to perform and I have high expectations of myself. I expect others to have that also.

Q. What do you think of the organization committing to a bunch of guys and having a core now going forward that's here for a long time?

A: Yeah, we've got a number of players who have now been here for a few years and understand what it means to be a New York Giant, and then what it means to play for Coach (Brian) Daboll and his system and what he wants kind of the culture and the feel in the locker room to be. We've got a great group of leaders, great group of young guys who know what that is, and who embody that and really take to that every day.

Q. There was so much uncertainty heading into last year's camp about who was going to stick around and who wasn't. Are you surprised at how quickly that core has been sort of stabilized?

A: I don't know if I'm surprised. I think, like I said, we've got a lot of really good dudes, a lot of really good players who have performed and done the right things on and off the field. It's fun to be in a locker room like that. It's fun to be with a group of guys working together, guys who do all the right things. I don't know if I'm surprised, but we're looking forward to getting to work and kind of staying right here in training camp right now.

Q. How happy are you that Andrew Thomas has signed and he's going to be your left tackle for many years?

A: Yeah, I'm extremely happy for him and happy for myself also. He's a tremendous player. He's a tremendous player. He goes about it the right way. He works his tail off. He's prepared, super smart, knows exactly what to do and then brings other guys along with him. So, he's a huge part of this offense, huge part of this team and yeah, I'm extremely excited for him.

Q. Knowing what you know about the offense, what has you most excited about what's to come?

A: I think just continuing to evolve and grow and learning what we're good at and what this group can do. I think that's the strength of Dabs (head coach Brian Daboll), and (offensive coordinator Mike) Kafka and the whole offensive staff, kind of how they put the pieces together and accentuate the strengths of our guys. So, we'll continue to work that through camp and every day will be different and we'll look forward to taking a step every day.

Q. I know it's only the first day of training camp, but you were doing the scramble drill and you had Saquon on the sideline there and he tightropes the sideline. Is there an excitement even on the first day of training camp when you connect on something like that?

A: Yeah, I think so. Yeah, it was a great play he made there on the sideline. He has the ability to do those things and make plays in the pass game – obviously, as a runner, but also in the pass game. He makes a difference when he's out there. He makes a difference with his play, and then how it feels and his leadership, his communication, and bringing guys along. Great to have him out there.

Q: Why has the running back position been devalued in your view around the league?

A: I don't know. I think that's probably a question for the experts on ESPN.

Q: Has this offense developed an identity do you feel yet, or is it still a work in progress?

A: I think it's very much a work in progress. I think we're on the first day of training camp, and we've got a lot of work to do throughout training camp and before we get there, but we're going to take it day by day and kind of focus on what's immediately in front of us and try to improve as much as we can.

Q: It was a long, tough negotiation for Saquon. It's been portrayed a lot of different ways; he said he didn't like the way he was being portrayed as greedy. What have you noticed from his demeanor when he's been here?

A: I think he's been himself. He's excited to be here. He's come to work. He's the same leader, the same presence in the locker room, and I think that speaks to him as a guy, his character, his professionalism, and just who he is and how important the team is to him. He understands his role on it, and how impactful he can be on other guys.

Q: Have you noticed a difference in your confidence coming into year two and having more of a grasp of this system, even though it's just day one, but all throughout spring?

A: Yeah, I mean, I think it's nice not to be learning completely new at this point. We're picking up from things we started with in the spring, and we'll continue to build off of it, but we're always learning and growing and kind of evolving the offense in whatever way is going to make us better.